Castles in Scotland

There are thought to have been over 3000 castles, towers and fortified houses in Scotland – some have been restored, some are in ruins, some have been incorporated into later buildings, and some don’t exist at all any more.

There are currently 2723 castles in the Stravaiging around Scotland castles database, but the plan is to eventually add all of the castles over time.

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Many of the earliest castles in Scotland were built on mottes, raised earthen mounds designed to elevate the castle for defence and increased visibility. See the distribution of mottes across Scotland and explore what remains of these early castle sites.

What could be more Scottish than staying in a castle? Some of Scotland’s many castles have been converted into hotels or contain self-catering apartments, while others offer bed and breakfast rooms or can be rented for exclusive use.